Maserati commits to 4th generation of Formula E racing

The 4th generation Formula E car is all set to be introduced in season 13 and will race at least until season 16 in 2030.

Published On Nov 27, 2024 12:30:00 PM

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Maserati has announced its intention to continue racing in Formula E as the series enters the Gen4 era, ensuring its participation at least until 2030. Currently running the third-generation race car, the Formula E series will move to the fourth-generation car, which will compete from season 13 in 2026 to season 16 in 2030.

CEO Santo Ficili said, "Having entered the electric racing series in 2023, with the introduction of the third-generation car, Maserati was happy to announce its further commitment to the fourth generation, as it sees this as the ‘future of racing’ and an important series in the motorsport world."

Asked by Autocar India if Maserati sees the series more as a test bed or marketing arena for its passenger EV range, Jean-Marc Finot, senior VP of Stellantis Motorsport, said that the company sees this as the “best of both, on the marketing side and technology side”, but stressed that “customers expect EVs to have more range, faster charging, and Formula E is the perfect laboratory to improve the efficiency of the powertrain and to work on high-power batteries”. This, Finot says, will “help put these technologies onto our road cars.”

Also asked if, given the current EV slowdown in the passenger car market, the company sees Formula E as a viable exercise, Ficili said, “We are aware that there is still a transition between endothermic (internal combustion) engines and EVs, so we are ready with a multi-energy platform for customers worldwide.” However, Ficili said he sees this as a valuable exercise, adding, “We must be ready to serve our customers' future needs, and Formula E is helping develop technology for our future Folgore range.”

Maserati MSG partnership status open for Gen4

When Maserati entered Formula E in the 9th season in 2023, it did so by partnering with the Monegasque firm MSG Racing, which was the erstwhile Venturi Racing Formula E team. However, in response to a question from the floor, Finot said that the brand's current partnership with MSG Racing is for the Gen 3 and Gen 3.5 series, and the decision to carry on the partnership into the 4th generation is still open. He further added that, as is the current practice, powertrain development would continue at the French facility, but a big part of the operations would move to Modena, Italy.

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